Cannes

Cannes, of course, is synonymous with its A-list film festival. Stroll the Boulevard de la Croisette, lined with stately palms, past the iconic Palais des Festivals. You'll find golden Riviera beaches, ultra-luxe hotels, and designer shops, all steeped in that unmistakable red-carpet glamour.

Cannes delivers: beach days, Belle Époque architecture, Le Suquet's old-town charm, Island excursions – take a ferry to Île Sainte-Marguerite. The dining, from Michelin stars to market stalls, is superb, and La Croisette is pure theater. While undeniably glamorous, dig a little deeper than the main drag and you'll find genuine local character.

Walk the Boulevard de la Croisette, check out the Palais des Festivals, and find your favorite celebrity's handprint on the Allée des Stars. Explore Le Suquet's old town, haggle at Marché Forville, or watch yachts from the Vieux Port. There are sandy beaches, of course, and you can always ferry out to the Îles de Lérins.

Absolutely, Cannes is fantastic for a swim. You'll find sandy public beaches like Plage du Midi and Plage de la Bocca, along with public stretches on the Croisette, including Plage Macé. For a bit more indulgence, many elegant private beach clubs offer loungers and full service.

Visit Cannes between May and September. That's when the beach scene hums. May brings the Film Festival buzz; it’s electric. For a better balance of warm Méditerranée swimming, consistent sunshine, and fewer people, aim for June or September. You'll still get that Côte d'Azur glow without the mid-summer crush.

Grab a boat from Cannes; it’s a quick hop to the Îles de Lérins. Wander through stands of Aleppo pines. There are coves for swimming, water so bright you can see the bedrock. On Sainte-Marguerite, tour Fort Royal. Over on Saint-Honorat, explore the monastery, its vineyards, and quiet coastal trails.

Most visitors mark the Le Suquet viewpoint as the city's most beautiful, with its broad outlook over the bay, the harbor, and the Croisette's elegant curve. Others lean towards the seafront itself. That strip, particularly near the Carlton and its sunset-lit, palm-fringed promenade, truly captures Cannes at its most glamorous.